In the context of St. Patrick's Day, I celebrate Ireland's beauty, the great contributions it has made to history, to spirituality, to music and to culture.

And most of all I salute the Gospel message that Patrick so loved, the Saviour he cherished, and his dauntless, passionate work in sharing the Good-News Message with those who would become his countrymen -- in the natural realm...

...and his brothers and sisters, colleagues and friends in the spiritual.